Last week, 30-year rates averaged 5.01 percent. That continues a trend this year in which the average has come in either just above or just below 5 percent.

The 15-year fixed-rate home loan this week averaged 4.34 percent (with 0.6 percent of the loan amount in upfront fees), down from 4.4 percent last week. A year ago, the 15-year loan averaged 4.81 percent.